[WilburForce]

Hi everyone, I just got a new cockatiel less than 5 days ago from a rescue. He's around 11 years old, and he's been closing his eyes a lot and puffing his feathers most of the day while he's sitting on my arm or shoulder. He's eating fine, and he is alert a lot of the time, but when we're not doing anything he seems to be napping all day. His feathers don't look ratty or anything, and he is still vocalizing; he gets 12 hours of darkness/sleep at night (I put him to bed at 8 PM and he wakes up on his own around 8 AM). I did notice his feet are warm, I'm not sure if its just the normal warmth or a fever, and he has been preening a whole lot. I've been doing some research on what's normal, and I'm thinking maybe its just the stress from a new place and new people. Oh, and I did notice he has a lot of small downy feathers coming out, I think they may be just the regular cockatiel dust but just thought I'd bring it up in case its not. I haven't kept any birds before, and Wilbur is brand new, so I'm concerned in case he isn't ok. Any feedback would be appreciated

If this isn't normal, I'll take him to the vet if possible; but I have anxiety and my mother might dismiss my worries about him unless there is an actual reason he could be sick. Thank you all!

Edit: he also seems way more alert when he's in his cage, but never really plays with his toys that are in there. If it'll be helpful I can post pictures of him and his setup; basically, he just naps almost the whole time he's sitting with me but is more alert when he's on top of his cage or inside it when I'm in the room (when this is the case he usually climbs around the bars and pecks his bowls because of the small reflection in them.) Maybe he's just lazy 😅

 

[Robert Seale]

From what you say in your post, it sounds like your doing everything right for Wilbur! From the way you describe his actions, it also sounds like for a tiel his age that he's doing fine! I applaud your efforts to make sure he's also getting enough sleep! It sounds like he's just having a good time in his cage weather he plays with his toys or not.....some birds just don't mess with them much if any. We would love to see pictures of his when you get time.

 

[WilburForce]

Oh, ok then! Thank you so much, I'm really glad that's the case and not anything more serious I'll attach some pictures of him and his cage setup.

The cage is 31 inches wide, I'm not sure how tall though; it has three layers but I removed the top one because there was barely any room; he never goes to the bottom so that's why there's only one toy down there.

 

[merlini]

Hi everyone, I just got a new cockatiel less than 5 days ago from a rescue. He's around 11 years old, and he's been closing his eyes a lot and puffing his feathers most of the day while he's sitting on my arm or shoulder. He's eating fine, and he is alert a lot of the time, but when we're not doing anything he seems to be napping all day. His feathers don't look ratty or anything, and he is still vocalizing; he gets 12 hours of darkness/sleep at night (I put him to bed at 8 PM and he wakes up on his own around 8 AM). I did notice his feet are warm, I'm not sure if its just the normal warmth or a fever, and he has been preening a whole lot. I've been doing some research on what's normal, and I'm thinking maybe its just the stress from a new place and new people. Oh, and I did notice he has a lot of small downy feathers coming out, I think they may be just the regular cockatiel dust but just thought I'd bring it up in case its not. I haven't kept any birds before, and Wilbur is brand new, so I'm concerned in case he isn't ok. Any feedback would be appreciated

If this isn't normal, I'll take him to the vet if possible; but I have anxiety and my mother might dismiss my worries about him unless there is an actual reason he could be sick. Thank you all!

Edit: he also seems way more alert when he's in his cage, but never really plays with his toys that are in there. If it'll be helpful I can post pictures of him and his setup; basically, he just naps almost the whole time he's sitting with me but is more alert when he's on top of his cage or inside it when I'm in the room (when this is the case he usually climbs around the bars and pecks his bowls because of the small reflection in them.) Maybe he's just lazy 😅

My older bird always seemed puffy and slept more. I think it is normal. New surroundings and maybe even a temperature change in your home from where he was can cause puffiness. Don't stress him further going to a vet unless you think there's a real need.

 

[Robert Seale]

WOW! That is a VERY nice cage you have there and a beautiful normal grey Wilburforce! He looks JUST like my Kiwi which is now 5 years old and daddy to four different clutches! I might also add that with a cage that size, you have room for at least 3 more cockatiels should you ever wish to expand your flock!

 

[merlini]

My post was that he passed. I am not looking to expand anything right now.

 

[WilburForce]

WOW! That is a VERY nice cage you have there and a beautiful normal grey Wilburforce! He looks JUST like my Kiwi which is now 5 years old and daddy to four different clutches! I might also add that with a cage that size, you have room for at least 3 more cockatiels should you ever wish to expand your flock!

Wow!! Thank you so much I'm really glad, I was scared he didn't have enough space lol 😅 I might be getting a second one to be friends with him once school starts again next year, so that's great to know!! Thanks so much for your help!

 

[WilburForce]

My post was that he passed. I am not looking to expand anything right now.

Aw no- I'm so sorry I bet he had a great life while you had him though

 

[merlini]

Aw no- I'm so sorry I bet he had a great life while you had him though

He never flew so he was out of his cage all but his sleeping hours. His cage was large. But he only went in to eat.

 

[Jo Hess]

I'm so sorry to hear about the passing of you bird. 😢 They can be great one and every day by appearance but not the next.

All birds are absolute masters of hiding any illness as they do in the wild for surval to the last day. Teils are amazingly great, loving companions/pets. Don't let this turn you off. Get a good baby and he/she will reward you for a long time if you treat them right, as you have. Great cage by the way. Allow the season's light to dictate their day, not cover cage to control. They are smart. They will sleep by light of day/night by nature. Even when cage is uncovered. They just do what the naturally do.

 

[Robert Seale]

Wow!! Thank you so much I'm really glad, I was scared he didn't have enough space lol 😅 I might be getting a second one to be friends with him once school starts again next year, so that's great to know!! Thanks so much for your help!

THAT cage in your photo is PLENTY big for two or three tiels!! LOL!